Has anyone in the forum ever flown on a 717 and what is your opinion of the a/c? I've been told by a few people who have flown on Air Tran that they are like little rockets. Are they quiet? Any comments. Thanks

I've flown on the 717 on airtran several times both business and coach. Compared to the old DC-9, the 717 is a much better aircraft as far as creature comforts are concerned. The fresh air is a big change from the old circulated stuffy air we used to get in the older jets. It is quiter than the -9 however if you sit in the rear you are still going to get rattled a bit by vibrations and noise, but its not as bad as the -9. I think you'll enjoy it. However there is a bad thing, if you are over six feet tall and have broad shoulders like me, I dont recommend setting in coach, if you do get an isle seat, and if you are flying airtran try to get a business class upgrade. I hear it costs you an extra $35 unlesss things have changed and the seats are much better.

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I really like the 717. I prefer it to both 737 and 320. I guess it is just a personal preference but it is quiet and comfortable, and you get plenty of the sensation of "flying". It is a million times better from a passenger perspective than the Bombadier Regional Jet.

I have flown on the 717 on both FL and HA. I will admit, it is a nice aircraft. By that, here is what I mean. First of all, its powerful. The first time I flew in one, we had been airborne for what seemed like only a few minutes, and we were already passing 10,000 ft. I was shocked at how fast it climbed. On flights when it is dark out, the handrails located right below the overhead bins have lights on the top of them that give off a nice, soothing glow. Other than that, nothing much. I hate the seating on FL. They call it ergonomic, I call it an excuse for less padding. And if you sit in the rear, although its much quieter than the Nine, its still noisy back there.

Yes, with TWA. Yes, I thought it did climb like a little rocket, and I thought it was very quiet. I was thrilled because it smelled and looked better inside and outside than the aging DC-9s and MD-80s I was on for the other legs of my trip with them.

I love it! It is such a comfortable plane, fresh air, large overhead bins, and the performance is fantastic. I'll fly one whenever I have the opportunity...I just can't believe how it hasn't become an aircraft of choice for more airlines. If production truly does shut down, as seems likely, it'll be a great loss, IMO. Surely there's a niche out there somewhere for this fine plane!

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I'll be riding a 717 to Denver next week, can't wait. 3 hours in the air in a 717, can't beat it! I'll agree with all of the above posters, the 717 is very quiet inside, very smooth ride, takes off like a rocket, etc. etc.

I have only flown on FL's 717 from LAX-DFW and back. It's a great plane...quiet, powerful, and smooth.

I have to say that the seats in FL's economy cabin were very uncomfortable for the three hour flight and I'm only 5'3" and weigh 125 lbs. But their business class seats were very comfortable and I appreciated the extra padding and width on my return flight.

Yes, about 5 times, last time 2 months ago, I find the aircraft a little small, powerful take off yes, but doesn't handle the choppy air as well as a 737, I like the 2-3 layout though as there is less chance of a middle seat. Never flown a DC-9 though but as NW are holding on to theirs then I am not in any hurry just yet.

It's a great plane, with great speed, and like many have mentioned, it climbs really fast...I recall leaving HNL one time with an AQ 737-200 leaving only seconds before us...we passed that baby in the air both in altitude and speed..it was neat.

I've flown the 717 numerous times on FL. My latest trip, from ATL to PHL, I met up with the pilot and ended up getting in the cockpit to do pre-flight procedures. Shame I couldn't fly jumpseat . But yes, I love that aircraft, it is quiet, and I have flown by the engines before and it's still not that bad. An overall nice aircraft.

I've flown on AirTran's 717s around a dozen times, most recently back in April LAS-DFW-ATL. The last row does suck, but unlike on the Diesel Nines, it's not annoyingly loud. The Business Class is nice, but my favorite coach seats are 10A/10F and 22A/22H.

I have not been on one yet but in March I am going on HAOGG-HNL. How good are the inter-island flights?

I flew from HNL-KOA on a 717 with Hawaiian. We flew like a rocket out of HNL. The plane was filled (not one empty seat) and we flew straight up to 27,000 feet then stayed there for a few mins, then started our descent. The plane was reeeeeeeeeeeally quiet.

I've flown on them several times on FL (PHL-ATL, PHL-PIT, BWI-FLL, & PHL-BOS) over the last 3 1/2 years and have been very impressed with the plane; it's become a personal favorite of mine. I will have another opportunity to fly in one again tomorrow and on Oct. 30.

P.S. to Airplaneboy,

The coach seats on FL's 717 have a lot more padding in them than the coach seats on NW's A320s & DC9s.

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